Ready for Oregon -- tell me about Eugene: hikes and lunch?
 

Our long-awaited trip to Oregon and Washington is finally here! After several months of radio silence on the forum, I'm back with some last-minute questions. We have our itinerary set and are so very excited to get out to that beautiful part of the country. We leave on Friday and will be there for 10 wonderful days -- we'll be in ONP for 5 full days of hiking. Can't wait!

On Saturday, June 24, we will be driving from Portland (we arrive late Friday night and are staying at a hotel near the airport) down to Roseburg to stay with family. We are aware that this is about a 3-hour drive, straight through. We will be stopping in Eugene for lunch, perhaps at Steelhead Brewery, and would love to get out and about and stretch our legs on a short -- at most an hour-ish -- hike.

Could someone recommend a hike in or near Eugene? Doing some searching, I've come up with Buford Park/Mount Pisgah. Is this a good place?

Also, recommendations for lunch in Eugene would be gratefully accepted. We are going super-casual this trip. I am also a vegetarian.

thanks very much!
--hikrchick

Pisgah is a good spot- a little off the freeway and maybe a bit hard to find. if you go to the top there is a 1000 ft elevation gain in 1 1/2 miles.

If you are only planning to spend an hour a much easier trail is along the Willamette River. Goes along both sides of the river and is very nice. if you want a hill, you can hike to the top of Skinners Butte as well with views of the city.

Lunch could be at the North Bank with river view seating and is right on the trail.
The North Bank is not geared to vegetarians but then, neither is the Steelhead.

Another lunch place along the river and the trail is Valley River Inn.

There's a parking lot up above the water tank on Skinner's Butte. Eugene F. Skinner was the founder of Eugene. It is better that he called it Eugene instead of Skinnersville.
While in Roseburg, learn about the Roseburg Blast.
From Roseburg are you going across 138 to Elkton and 38 to Reedsport? About 4-5 miles east of Reedsport stop to see the Roosevelt elk at Dean's Creek.
There is some good hiking at the Oregon Dunes north of Reedsport.

A downside to hiking Pisgah is that there are frequent car break ins.
Since you are traveling, I assume you will have a car full of luggage and stuff.

If you go, I would make sure there is nothing visible, carry your purse with you, don't open the trunk while you are in the parking lot where someone might see the contents.

There is also a fee to park there.

Thank you for the information, sunburn, especially about Pisgah. Maybe we won't go there. I like the idea of the Willamette River walk.

Tom: Thank you so much for this tip! From Roseburg on Monday June 26 we are doing exactly that, as we drive all the way up 101 to overnight in Astoria. We are estimating at least 7 hours driving, and then more with stopping.

We will be stopping in Yachats for hiking and lunch and then hopefully some other places. I was told about amazing views at Ecola State Park all the way up by Cannon Beach.

I am assuming, however, that the view is going to be so stunning that we will want to stop many times and walk a little bit and maybe put our feet in the Pacific.

We will now be sure to keep all baggage in the trunk and only maps etc in the back seat.

My favorite walk/hike at the coast is at Devils Elbow State Park- also known as Heceta Head. Nice beach with a trail up to lighthouse- easy. However, if you want to go farther, there is a trail behind the lighthouse, that leads to the Hobbit Trail- only accessible by hiking in.

On the way to the coast, before you get to Mapelton, you could turn off and do Sweet Creek Falls. Also easy, but very pretty.

Around Cape Perpetua there are several trails- get a trail map at Visitors Center.

thanks sunbum! these are great tips!